SpaceX has secured a new contract to launch the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) JPSS-4 satellite, adding another mission to its busy schedule.
The satellite is scheduled for launch in 2027 from California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. This fixed-price contract is valued at $112.7 million and covers both launch services and related mission costs, as noted by NASA officials in an update.
The JPSS-4 satellite is part of the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS), a collaborative project between NOAA and NASA. The constellation of JPSS satellites provides critical data on Earth’s land, sea, and air, aiding NOAA’s mission to monitor and predict changes in the environment.
This data supports economic activities and helps protect lives and property. NASA also utilizes the instruments on JPSS satellites for ongoing Earth science research.
To date, three JPSS satellites have been launched and are currently operational: Suomi NPP in October 2011, JPSS-1 (now NOAA-20) in November 2017, and JPSS-2 (NOAA-21) in November 2022.
SpaceX Wins NOAA Contract to Launch JPSS-4 Satellite in 2027These launches were conducted using United Launch Alliance rockets, specifically a Delta II for Suomi NPP and JPSS-1, and an Atlas V for JPSS-2. The JPSS fleet will eventually include five satellites, with JPSS-3 planned for launch in 2032.
The addition of JPSS-4 to SpaceX’s launch manifest highlights the company’s continued involvement in significant space missions. However, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket has faced a setback after a recent failure on July 11.
During that mission, the rocket’s upper stage leaked liquid oxygen, preventing it from completing an orbit-raising burn. As a result, the Falcon 9 deployed 20 Starlink satellites into an orbit too low for sustainability, leading to their eventual demise in Earth’s atmosphere.
Despite this recent issue, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 has had a busy year, with 69 launches in 2024 alone. The company’s resilience and continued success in securing high-profile contracts like the JPSS-4 launch demonstrate its vital role in the aerospace industry and its capability to recover and move forward from challenges.